Reducing the cider intensifies its flavor, Sean Rembold, chef at Marlow & Sons, in Brooklyn, says, adding, “There’s also the aromatherapy you get from simmering cider.”

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider, preferably fresh (the darker the better)

1 tablespoon whole allspice

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

4 cloves whole cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Brandy, Calvados (apple brandy), or bourbon (optional)

Recipe Preparation

Instructions

Combine cider, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring spiced cider just to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook just below a simmer until flavors meld, about 1 hour.

Strain cider through a sieve into another pot or heatproof punch bowl; discard solids in sieve. Add brandy to taste, if using. Ladle hot spiced cider into cups.